Patuxent Research Refuge

[[Image:National Wildlife Visitor Center.JPG|thumb|right|200px|National Wildlife Visitor Center]] [[Image:George W. Bush with a screech owl.jpg|right|thumb|George W. Bush holds a screech owl at the Patuxent Research Refuge in 2007]] Established in 1936 by executive order of President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], the '''Patuxent Research Refuge''' is the only [[National Wildlife Refuge]] in the [[United States]] established to support wildlife research. With land surrounding the [[Patuxent River|Patuxent]] and [[Little Patuxent River]]s between [[Washington, D.C.]] and [[Baltimore, Maryland]], the Refuge has grown from the original {{convert|2670|acre|km2}} to its present size of over {{convert|12800|acre|km2}} and encompasses land formerly managed by the [[United States Department of Agriculture|Departments of Agriculture]] and [[United States Department of Defense|Defense]]. Throughout decades of change, Patuxent's mission of conserving and protecting the nation's wildlife and habitat through research and wildlife management techniques has remained virtually unchanged. Patuxent Research Refuge supports a wide diversity of wildlife in forest, meadow, and wetland habitats. The land is managed to maintain biological diversity and to protect and benefit native and migratory bird species. During the fall and spring migrations, many [[waterfowl]] species stop to rest and feed. Over 270 species of birds occur on the Refuge. [[Bald eagle]]s are occasionally seen feeding on the Refuge. Increasing forest fragmentation in the area caused by urban development has damaged many populations of neotropical migratory birds. The Refuge is one of the largest forested areas in the mid-Atlantic region and provides critical breeding habitat and wintering habitat for these species. Patuxent Research Refuge is divided into three areas: 1) North Tract, which offers [[hunting]], [[fishing]], wildlife observation, trails, and many interpretive programs; 2) Central Tract, where the headquarters for both the Refuge and the USGS [[Patuxent Wildlife Research Center]] are located, as well as research study sites; and 3) South Tract, which has the National Wildlife Visitor Center, trails, and many educational programs. The North Tract and the National Wildlife Visitor Center are the only areas open for visitor activities. The '''National Wildlife Visitor Center''' at the Patuxent Research Refuge is the nation's largest center for environmental science and education operated by the [[United States Department of the Interior]]. ==Sources== *[http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=51640 Profile of Patuxent Research Refuge] *[http://patuxent.fws.gov Refuge website] {{Include-USGov |agency=United States Fish and Wildlife Service}} {{Protected Areas of Maryland}} {{coord missing|Maryland}}